If you told me I would be physically waiting in line for concert tickets – in 2026 — I would’ve started laughing.
I heard about Megan Maroney doing a pop-up tour in Salt Lake and immediately knew I had to go. I didn’t realize the effort I would have to put in to secure those tickets. Forget the virtual queue, I had to wake up at 3 in the morning, leaving my warm bed to go sit in the 30-degree weather.
My mom used to do stuff like this all the time back in her day. She’s told me all the stories but I didn’t think it would be this hard. You millennials and Gen X are warriors.
Trying to find people to go to this concert was way harder than expected. Thinking my friends would be excited to go to a $9 Megan Maroney concert, the immediate answer was no. Everyone said it would be miserable lining up bright and early in February, and they might’ve been right. I, finally, got a group of about five people to go with me. However, when I woke up at 3 I had multiple texts on my phone. Everyone bailed because they were way too tired, except for one person.
So the remaining two of us dragged ourselves out of bed, debating if all of this was worth it. After checking TikTok for the length of the line (sorry old folks, I did have that advantage over you) it said there were only 300 people so we still had a shot. We seriously reconsidered multiple times, but decided we would regret it if we didn’t.
Now to the line to get into the line. The actual line didn’t start until 7. Armed with some toast and an energy drink, we were ready for the long wait. As we pulled up to The Complex in Salt Lake, the line was already half way around the block. We secured our spot next to the train tracks. Perfect sleeping conditions … not. We got set up with our chairs and blankets and immediately regretted not bringing three more blankets.
The weather was so cold I was shivering, trying to take a nap was not going to happen. The trains would also roll past about every 10 minutes — creating a huge gust of wind that was freezing. After three solid hours of waiting, it was time for the actual line.
Still no sun in sight, the line finally had its first movement. I thought World War III was breaking out with how fast everyone started moving. The sun was rising and I started feeling my toes again. The end was in sight (kind of, I had three more hours). I’ve never been more grateful for the sun.
At 10 a.m., we succeeded in our mission and tickets were secured. While the line was cold, I realized it actually was a fun experience. I was able to see people I hadn’t seen in a long time in line.
Here’s the difference between a virtual line and a physical line. Getting tickets for the concert felt like we were all in it together, not going against each other. We were all in it together, I haven’t had an experience like that before.
When trying to get tickets online it is a solo stress. While waiting in line physically was cold, I was able to have a fun time talking to the people around me.
Was it worth it? Yes. Would I do it again? Probably not.
After the actual concert that started at 3, I was exhausted. I was then in bed at 7 and slept a total of 11 hours that night.
So the next time you look at your internet-less forefathers, show them some respect, they have trauma bonded over physical lines.